Stevie Wonder leads the droves of A-list guests arriving for lavish £200,000 wedding of Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll (but complains that Ireland is a 'bit cold')

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Stevie Wonder led the hoards of expectant A-list guests jetting into Ireland for Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll's lavish wedding at a 13th-century castle.

The Motown legend, who will perform at the golfing ace's ceremony today, left Galway locals starstruck when he popped into a phone shop and took photos with the staff - before complaining that Ireland was 'a bit cold'.

Other celebrity guests tipped to make up the 160-strong list include One Direction's Niall Horan, a good friend of Mr McIlroy, Ed Sheeran, actor Jamie Dornan and Coldplay's Chris Martin.

Stevie Wonder led the hoards of A-list guests jetting into Ireland for Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll's wedding at a 13th-century castle. He left Galway locals starstruck when he popped into a phone shop and gushed over how beautiful Ireland is - before complaining that it was 'a bit cold'

Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll are set to get married at Ashford Castle in Co. Mayo, Ireland, on Saturday

The duo have have booked out the 800-year-old castle from Wednesday to Sunday this week, including a private cottage on the grounds

Photographers gathered outside the wedding venue, ready to capture the happy couple after the ceremony 

Security checked inside a van outside the castle's gates, amid reports that staff's mobile phones were confiscated

Four helicopters flew into Ashford Castle this morning and ten more landed in the 350-acre grounds yesterday - as the last of the celebrity guests arrived

Attendees are expected to arrive by helicopter to Ashford Castle, although the wedding party travelled to Cong village on Wednesday ahead of the opulent £200,000 ceremony and reception. 

Shop worker Eoin Healy, who served Motown superstar Stevie, revealed a customer introduced the singer to her. 

'I didn't really take any notice, but when I glanced over I heard the person he was with saying 'This is Stevie and he's looking to buy a few things',' she told the Irish Independent.

'Then it just hit me and I was like 'Oh my God, it's Stevie Wonder'. He was so friendly and started talking to me about how beautiful Ireland is even though it's a bit cold.'

It is believed the singer agreed to perform with an 18-piece band at the wedding because McIlry's New-York born fiance Erica is a huge fan of the soul star. 

A source told The Irish Mail: 'Wonder will perform with an 18-piece band, at vast expense. They are flying in on Thursday and separately a piano and a piano turner are arriving from London.' 

Stevie is thought to be staying at the Lodge at the Castle and will perform at the wedding reception in a marquee on the grounds of the estate.

Paul McGinley, centre, was chatting to golf fans outside Pat Cohan's bar in Cong - made famous in the 1952 John Ford romantic comedy featuring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, 'The Quiet Man'

Security was beefed up on the big day as celebrities continued to flood in

Locals have already been sending Rory and Erica their best wishes ahead of Saturday's wedding

No expense will be spared at the wedding at Ashford Castle in Co Mayo - which has 350 acres of woodland and a golf course

No expense has been spared at the opulent 13th century AShford Castle, which features ornate furnishings and grand staircases inside

It is believed the singer agreed to perform with an 18-piece band at the wedding because McIlry's New-York born fiance Erica is a huge fan of the soul star

Rory's friend Niall Horan is expected to attend the wedding, as well as actor Jamie Dornan

After dinner and the performance, it is thought the couple will enjoy a stunning £50,000 fireworks display. 

Ed Sheeran, who is currently playing a number of concerts in Manchester, will fly in later this afternoon to treat the couple to a special show, the Irish Mirror reported. 

Four helicopters flew into Ashford Castle this morning - and ten more landed in the 350-acre grounds yesterday - as the last of the celebrity guests arrived.

Representing the sporting world on the guestlist are Rory's Irish Ryder Cup team-mates, including Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and Shane Lowry. 

The newly crowned US Masters champion, Sergio Garcia, is also tipped to attend, while Limerick billionaire JP McManus will represent the business world. 

Rory and Erica have booked out the 13th century castle from Wednesday to Sunday this week, including a private cottage on the grounds, according to Belfast Live. 

The couple got ready to tie the knot with a special display of Irish falconry on Saturday morning.

The couple got engaged in 2015 after a year-long romance. They met in 2012 when Erica worked for the PGA

Show them the cold shoulder in Erica's dress by Preen

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Speaking about his relationship with his American fiancée, the Northern Irish golfer says Erica has brought 'great balance' to his life

Erica was seen showing off her engagement ring at the Ryder Cup last year, with the sparkler estimated to be worth £500,000. The blonde beauty is often seen supporting Rory around the golf course

Specially-trained falcons and an owl flew around the couple as they stood facing each other less than one metre apart, in a spectacular nod to the medieval sport.

Security has been stepped up at the luxurious five-star hotel, which is surrounded by 350 acres of ancient woodland - and, of course, a golf course - ahead of the lavish bash.

Guests are believed to have enjoyed free food and drink yesterday and will be wined and dined today by a gourmet Irish chef.

Rory and his new wife will spend their first night as a married couple in a stunning €3,500-a-night boathouse, the Irish Mirror reported.

Hideaway Cottage overlooks a tranquil lake in the five-star estate and is believed to have been specially renovated as a honeymoon suite.

'It is perfect for Rory and Erica to have some quiet time together,' a source told the publication.

 Rory and his new wife will spend their first night as a married couple in a stunning €3,500-a-night boathouse (pictured)

The Hideaway Cottage overlooks a tranquil lake in the five-star estate and is believed to have been specially renovated as a honeymoon suite

'It is perfect for Rory and Erica to have some quiet time together,' a source told the Irish Mirror

The couple, who began dating two years ago, can enjoy a breakfast the next day with a view over the water 

The golfing ace and his New-York born partner can unwind after the wedding festivities in an opulent marble bath

Droves of Jeeps and limousines with blackened security glass swept into the luxury castle estate throughout the day.

One resident insisted he spotted McIlroy driving through the village in a Porsche on Wednesday afternoon.

The golfer and his friends enjoyed some clay pigeon shooting in the ground of Ashford Castle on Thursday - a welcome break after their stag party in the US last month.   

The couple - who first met in 2012 when Erica worked for the PGA - got engaged in Paris in 2015 after a year-long romance. 

Speaking about the engagement, Rory told the Daily Mail: 'I wouldn't say it was a traditional proposal in any sense.'

Their trip to Paris came shortly after the terror attacks in the French capital in November 2015, which claimed the lives of 130 people.

The Northern Irish golfer said: 'We had planned the trip in May but we were unsure whether to go after what happened. So we decided to go and if we didn't like it, or the mood of the place, we were going to go somewhere else. 

Security has been stepped up at the luxurious five-star hotel ahead of the lavish bash this weekend

The lavish ceremony and reception at Ashford Castle in Cong is expected to cost over £200,000

The castle is surrounded by 350 acres of ancient woodland and includes a private cottage on its grounds

Bride-to-be Aiofe Power (centre) stopped with her hen party to get a photo outside the castle 

The beaming women enjoyed their moment in the spotlight as they took a selfie in the grounds of the golfing star's wedding

'But when we got there, it just felt great. There were security checks as you went into the shops but people were just getting on with things. So we felt comfortable, and I thought if I proposed at the start of the trip it might make it even better. So we went out for dinner and that was that.' 

Speaking about his relationship with his American fiancée, he added: 'I know you've seen Erica around tournaments a lot but we really have tried to keep it low key.

'She is a low-key person but she brings a level of normality to everything. She has a calming presence and that's not just on me, it is noticeable in any company.

'She has been a great influence on me and has brought such a great balance to my life, between who I am when people see me out in the public eye and who I am at home. 

'So that side of my life is really good just now. We are excited, our parents are excited, so it is a really happy time.' 

The five-star hotel offers 82 rooms, with Rory and Erica believed to have booked out the whole venue

Rory famously split with ex-fiancée Caroline Wozniacki in 2014, just days after sending out their wedding invitations

Rory famously split with ex-fiancée Caroline Wozniacki in 2014, just days after sending out their wedding invitations.

Speaking about calling off their engagement, the golfer said he'd made the right decision, saying it had led him to 'a good place'.

Reflecting on his romance with the Danish tennis player, he told the Irish Independent: 'I thought at the time that being with someone that was in a similar position to you was the obvious answer.

'But it isn't, because you can never get away from it. You can never detach yourself and try to come back to the real world. And that's why I feel in such a good place now.'